'Spider-Man 4' Getting Closer to Reality

The Spider-Man films have become one of the most popular and highest-grossing franchises in history, obviously. After three movies, though, some might believe it's time to hang up the spidey-suit and move on to other things. If you disagree and can't imagine life without more Spider-Man movies, you're in luck because according to a recent Hollywood Reporter article, it doesn't appear the franchise is going to go away any time soon. In fact, a meeting between producer Laura Ziskin, Sam Raimi and Sony's top peeps is currently scheduled to take place within the next two weeks.

In the article, which not only discusses future Spider-Man movies, but other monster franchises such as the Harry Potter films and the X-Men series -- which according to the article will stop at X-Men 3 (no script exists for a fourth flick, and there are currently no plans to write one) but will spin-off with Wolverine and Magneto movies -- Spider-Man franchise producer Laura Ziskin reveals that she would like to get everyone back for another Spidey film but that "no one will sign on the dotted line until they see a script." However, don't be too concerned about that script thing causing delays or stopping production on more films because Ziskin also reveals in the article that "There will be more 'Spider-Man' movies. We just haven't answered what shape they will come in and (Sony) hasn't given us a release date."

With at least one, and potentially more, Spider-Man films to come, will we again see Tobey Maguire slinging webs as Peter Parker and Sam Raimi behind the camera calling the shots? On these questions, for the moment, Ziskin is less certain: "Spider-Man will continue; I can't tell you every person who will be involved." With the power of franchises pulling in the big bucks to help keep the studios afloat in these uncertain economic times, there's pretty much no way that a successful franchise like Spider-Man won't keep going and going -- as long as it still makes money for the studio. Until it stops raking in the bucks, you can probably expect to see Spider-Man 4, 5 and 6, at the very least. And even though I wasn't thrilled with Spider-Man 3, as a fan of the franchise and comic book movies in general, I say bring 'em on -- just try to do a little better next time.